Loblaws Parent Appoints CFO

George Weston Ltd., the parent company of Canadian grocer Loblaw Cos. Ltd., has named Richard Dufresne Weston’s CFO, effective March 26.

According to Weston president Pavi Binning, Dufresne “is a hands-on and an extremely qualified finance executive. With his extensive experience and proven track record of success as a CFO, we believe he will make a substantial contribution to the company and will be a welcome addition to our executive team.”

Citing Dufresne’s “strategic focus and transactional skills,” which would enable the Toronto-based company to achieve “the strategic vision for our businesses,” executive chairman W. Galen Weston noted that the appointment came “at a pivotal and exciting time.”

Dufresne is joining Weston from a major Canadian food distributor, Montreal-based Metro Inc., where for several years he was CFO. Before that, he held senior positions within the investment banking sector.

Weston, one of North America’s largest food-processing and distribution groups, operates in two segments: baking, through Weston Foods, and food and general merchandise distribution, through Loblaws.